Perfluoro-tert-butanol for selective on-resin detritylation: a mild alternative to traditionally used methods

Solid-phase synthesis of cyclic, branched or side-chain-modified peptides typically involves introduction of a residue carrying a temporary side-chain protecting group that undergoes selective on-resin removal. In particular, N^α-Fmoc-N^ε-(4-methyltriphenylmethyl) (Mtt)-protected lysine and its shorter analogues are commercially available and extensively used in this context. Nevertheless, rapid reliable methods for on-resin removal of Mtt groups in the presence of tert-butyloxycarbonyl (Boc) groups are needed. Current commonly used conditions involve low concentrations (1-3%) of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) in dichloromethane, albeit adjustment to each specific application is required to avoid premature removal of Boc groups or cleavage from the linker. Hence, a head-to-head comparison of several deprotection conditions was performed. The selected acids represent a wide range of acidity from TFA to trifluoroethanol. Also, on-resin removal of the N-(4-methoxytriphenylmethyl) (Mmt) and O-trityl groups (on serine) was investigated under similar conditions. The mildest conditions identified for Mtt deprotection involve successive treatments with 30% hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP) or 30% perfluoro-tert-butanol [(CF₃)₃COH] in dichloromethane (3 × 5 or 3 × 15 min, respectively), while 30% HFIP, 30% (CF₃)₃COH, or 10% AcOH-20% trifluoroethanol (TFE) in CH₂Cl₂ (3 × 5 min) as well as 5% trichloroacetic acid in CH₂Cl₂ (3 × 2 min) enabled Mmt removal. Treatment with 1% TFA with/without 2% triisopropylsilane added (3 × 5 min), but also prolonged treatment with 30% (CF₃)₃COH (5 × 15 min), led to selective deprotection of an O-Trt group on a serine residue. In all cases, the sequences also contained N-Boc or O-tBu protecting groups, which were not affected by 30% HFIP or 30% (CF₃)₃COH even after a prolonged reaction time of 4 h. Finally, the optimized conditions involving HFIP or (CF₃)₃COH proved applicable also for selective deprotection of a longer resin-bound peptide [i.e., Ac-Gly-Leu-Leu-Lys(Mtt)-Arg(Pbf)-Ile-Lys(Boc)-Ser(tBu)-Leu-Leu-RAM-PS] as well as allowed for an almost complete deprotection of a Dab(Mtt) residue.

Enzyme mimics based membrane reactor for di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate degradation

Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), the most abundantly used plasticizer, was considered to be a hazardous chemical that was difficult to be degraded naturally. In this study, inspired by the "catalytic triad'' in serine proteases, an enzyme mimic material was developed by combining the proteases's active sites of serine, histidine and aspartate (S-H-D) with the self-assembling sequence of LKLKLKL and the aromatic group of fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl (Fmoc). By mixing the monomer of peptides containing separate S, H and D residues with a ratio of 2:1:1, the enzyme mimics were found to co- assemble into nanofibers (Co-HSD) and showed the highest activity towards DEHP degradation because of the synergistic effects of active sites, orderly secondary structure and stable molecular conformation. To further improve ability and applicability, the high active mimetic enzyme was immobilized onto regenerated cellulose (RC) membranes for DEHP degradation in a continuous recycling mode. The RC membranes were first functionalized by the NaIO₄ oxidation method to form aldehyde groups and then conjugated with the enzyme mimics via Schiff-base reaction. As a biocatalytic membrane, this membrane could not only effectively degrade DEHP, but also showed good stability, thus establishing a promising biomaterial for large scale biodegradation of DEHP in water decontamination and liquid food depollution.

Enzyme mimics based on self-assembled peptides for di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate degradation

Enzyme mimics inspired by serine proteases are developed through self-assembled peptides to degrade di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP).

Photolabile Linkers for Solid-Phase Synthesis

Photolabile linkers are the subjects of intense research because they allow the release of the target molecule simply by irradiation. Photochemical release of synthesis products is often facilitated without additional reagents under mild reaction conditions, which may even be environmentally friendly and appealing in the context of greener chemistry. The mild conditions also allow for applications of released material in subsequent biological screening experiments, where contamination with cleavage reagents would be detrimental. This Review pays attention to the increasing number of photolabile linkers developed for solid-phase synthesis and release and covers: (i) o-nitrobenzyloxy linkers, (ii) o-nitrobenzylamino linkers, (iii) α-substituted o-nitrobenzyl linkers, (iv) o-nitroveratryl linkers, (v) phenacyl linkers, (vi) p-alkoxyphenacyl linkers, (vii) benzoin linkers, (viii) pivaloyl linkers, and (ix) other photolabile linkers.

Synthesis of functionalised nucleosides for incorporation into nucleic acid-based serine protease mimics

The synthesis of nucleosides modified with an extra imidazole, carboxyl and hydroxyl group is described. These nucleosides can be incorporated into an oligonucleotide duplex, thus generating a novel type of serine protease mimic.